SELF-COMPASSION, MINDFULNESS AND COPING IN RELATION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER.
Sanja Kanisek, Rudika Gmajnić, Sanja Jandrić, Ana Kurtović, Ivana Barać, Željka Vukšić, Sanda Pribić
Acta clinica Croatica June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.20471/acc.2025.64.02.04
Summary
Pregnant women who practice self-compassion and mindfulness experience significantly less anxiety and depression. Among 153 pregnant women, those with higher self-compassion showed lower anxiety (r=-0.44) and depression (r=-0.45), while greater mindfulness linked to lower anxiety (r=-0.53) and depression (r=-0.51). Conversely, avoidance-focused coping with stress correlated with higher anxiety (r=0.19) and depression (r=0.23). These findings suggest mindfulness and self-compassion are crucial for preventing mental disorders, offering promising non-pharmacological support for expectant mothers.
Abstract
The aim of the study was to examine the levels and relationships of self-compassion, mindfulness, coping with stress, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress in pregnant women. The study involved 153 pregnant women (6+0-7+6) who completed a questionnaire of socio-demographic data, Self-Compassion Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Depression Questionnaire of the Center for Epidemiological Research and Perceived Stress Scale. Subjects with higher levels of self-compassion and mindfulness had lower levels of anxiety (r=-0.44, p<0.01), (r=-0.53, p<0.01), depression (r=-0.45, p<0.01), (r=-0.51, p<0.01), and stress (r=-0.53, p<0.01), (r=-0.45, p<0.01). Significantly higher levels of anxiety (r=0.19, p<0.05), depression (r=0.23, p<0.01), and stress symptoms (r=0.26, p<0.01) were experienced by subjects who used avoidance-focused coping. Self-compassion and mindfulness were negative predictors of anxiety (β=-0.26, p<0.001), (β=-0.42, p<0.001), depression (β=-0.35, p<0.001), (β=-0.37, p<0.001) and stress (β=-0.40, p<0.001), (β=-0.25, p<0.01). Problem-focused coping had a positive contribution to depression (β=0.15, p<0.05). Avoidance showed a tendency toward a positive effect on stress (β=0.13, p=0.06). The results indicate a significant role of self-compassion and mindfulness in predicting symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress in pregnant women in early pregnancy as a focus of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at early prevention of mental disorders.